Older women and domestic abuse: through a glass darkly

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to offer a profile of domestic abuse of older women and its impact on their health and well-being; explore some of the conceptual tensions that exist in this field; and discuss current policy and practice responses to this group of victim-survivors. Design/methodology/approach It is a review paper drawing on material from a range of sources; it has policy, practice and research implications. Findings Although there is growing recognition that older women are victims of domestic abuse, it tends to be regarded as a “younger women’s issue” and to be subsumed under the umbrella of elder abuse. This not only removes the gendered element, but it also uncouples it from the lifecourse where, for many, its roots lie. It also tends to foreground “old age” as the primary dimension of risk. There is a tension between the justice-oriented approach of the domestic abuse system and the welfarist approach that imbues the safeguarding system. There is a need for integration between the two systems. Also, for the health and care system to be more alert to the needs of older women at risk, we need to achieve a more effective balance between protection and justice, accord a greater level of agency to older victim-survivors and ensure they have access to domestic abuse law, policy and appropriate support services. Research limitations/implications More research is needed with older victim-survivors: listening to their lived experiences, coping strategies and pathways out of abuse. The issue also needs to be more visible. Practical implications Developing appropriate domestic abuse services for older women is critical. Practice lessons can be learnt too: especially greater integration of the safeguarding system with the domestic abuse system. Training is needed too for frontline health and social care staff about the distinctive nature of domestic abuse of older women. Social implications Domestic abuse of older women needs to be spoken about and made more visible in society and inside services, including older people’s third sector services. Originality/value This paper adopts a critical lens and makes a number of new arguments.

Safeguarding carers: literature review on what is known about carers who are abused by the people they provide care for

“…Literature tells us that many of these women provide care in existing familial interdependent violent relationships. Both Milne (2023) and Warburton-Wynn (2023) draw attention to a lack of visibility in policies aimed at addressing the unique needs and circumstances of victim-survivors of domestic violence, including carers and specifically older women who are acting in this role (as carers). Further, results from the Crime Survey for England and Wales [Office for National Statistics (ONS), 2022] showed that an estimated 2.4 million people experienced (and reported) domestic abuse in the year ending March 2022.…”

“…Further, results from the Crime Survey for England and Wales [Office for National Statistics (ONS), 2022] showed that an estimated 2.4 million people experienced (and reported) domestic abuse in the year ending March 2022. Milne (2023) notes that although some older victim-survivors of domestic abuse are unpaid family carers, their unique intersectional needs are often ignored in both policy and practice. In addition, Bornstein’s (2019) research, which examined synergistic dependencies in partner and elder abuse, identified associations between intra- and inter-personal functional dependency and economic dependency.…”

“…Holt and Birchall (2022) urge social care practitioners to engage in effective risk assessment, whilst also taking a trauma-informed approach. Milne (2023) and Warburton-Wynn (2023) advocate for more integrated approaches that address the intersectional needs of affected unpaid family carers, as well as making their needs and information about how to provide appropriate support more visible in policy and law. In England, the Care Act 2014 requires practitioners to carry out combined and or joint assessments, but with existing resource constraints such approaches may be limited.…”